[U.S. MEN] U.S. national team coach Bob Bradley called up 20 players for the friendlies against Poland Oct. 9 and Colombia Oct. 12. A team entirely comprised of European-based players will face Poland at Chicago’s Soldier Field, while Heath Pearce and Brek Shea of FC Dallas will join the team three days later for the match against Colombia at PPL Park in Chester, Pa.

“We understand this is a critical point in the season for teams in MLS,” said Bradley. “Given the circumstances, we felt it was important that the MLS players be given as much opportunity as possible to remain with their clubs and continue to make important contributions as the playoffs approach.”

Shea and Aston Villa defender Eric Lichaj were called up for the first time.

Midfielder Jermaine Jones was called up for the first time for the August game against Brazil but remained with FC Schalke for the start of its season.

Why no Torres? Wouldn't some of these friendlies allow him to get more integrated into Bob Bradley's system?
Looks like the next 4 years will be more of the same.
It is going to be easy for opposing teams to scout us - defend and counter.

Walt Pericciuoli

commented on: October 1, 2010 at 8:23 a.m.

No Torre no Gomez. Also, no call ups at all from young Americans playing in Mexico. Yes more of the same old.

Kerry Ogden

commented on: October 1, 2010 at 10:05 a.m.

I'm baffled why BB is not looking at other players than some of the same players that played in the past. Tim Ream's is just another player that has been overlook even though BB sat at a Red Bulls game where Ream's did a fantastic job as a defender, and other American's playing in Mexico have not been asked as of yet. Funny man BB is, but as it is were stuck with him for another World Cup round.

David Sirias

commented on: October 1, 2010 at 11:07 a.m.

Torres has not been playing and not well because his coach in Mexico is not using him properly So I understand. But if no Torres why Spector ? He's not even making the 18 for his club. Get used to it folks

Robert Kiernan

commented on: October 1, 2010 at 12:06 p.m.

OK, if you don't want to call up MLS players right as the playoffs are starting, well fine... but then why are you bringing in the pair from Dallas? Why not bring in other foreign based players, especially in the aging defense...say, Diskerud, Simek, Whitbread, Castillo, or Goodson's partner at IK START, Hunter Freeman? Even someone like Gale Agbossoumonde who just left his club in Portugal, Braga...but who seems certain to be a regular with the Olympic squad, at least for cover? Instead were seeing pretty much more of the same... yes I'm glad to see Lichaj and especially Jones, but Eddie Johnson again? And just how sharp can Gooch really be expected to be now, wasn't that exactly the problem he had last summer that lead to his being dropped from the starting line-up? If there was a game that called out for Paco Torres, it's a match without Donovan...but no Bradley calls in Shea? Hey I watched Shea commit as bad an unprovoked tackle at speed from behind a few weeks back that lead to well deserved straight red card... and the watched him get into it with another Red Bulls player and the Assistant Referee...so I'm not so sure that he possesses the mentality to play at the international level... if you are bringing in an MLS guy, why not Tim Ream, he's played ALL SEASON and has played exceptionally well for a rookie, and while it's nice to see Bedoya included...why so few Latino players if you are going up against Columbia? No Torres, No Gomez, No Gonzalez? No Castillo?... instead we get Heath Pearce and Eddie Johnson? This seems like a rehash... a nice midfield, but still a rehash!
(ICE)

I w Nowozeniuk

commented on: October 1, 2010 at 2:04 p.m.

Samo-samo BB...i beg to wonder that there has been no concentrated search to find quality players off the old radar screen...BB needs to keep the players that will carry him through the WC 2014 sectionals and add new faces along the way that will be ready for 2014...who are the scouts out there and if BB gets a twitter about someone, shouldn't that player be given a full 360?

David Huff

commented on: October 1, 2010 at 3 p.m.

I note that he has included his son again too, nepotism as usual I see. I guess it could be worse though, just imagine if Gulati and Flynn had sons that were playing professionally too? I'm glad I'm not going to watch this match.

I w Nowozeniuk

commented on: October 1, 2010 at 3:16 p.m.

Just a reminder to BB and Thomas Rongen who let a quality player and countless others slip through their fingerprints:
Neven Subotic (Borussia Dortmund)